More on mistakes entrepreneurs make

Recently I have been reading quite a bit about mistakes entrepreneurs make, we do not need to re-invent the wheel, but getting it work more efficiently ! Therefore learning from these mistakes is actually quite useful, and some of the general conclusions are listed down here below:

·         Develop a sound business plan

·         Attract and retain customers

·         Develop marketing niches

·         Maintain self-sufficient cash flow

·         Control costs

·         Identify problems early-on

·         Select appropriate resource people and staff

·         Forecast  growth cycle of new products/services

·         Innovate

·         Monitor and respond to trends

·         Adjust to changing markets and competition

·         Use technology efficiently

·         Work-through family problems

·         Maintain Control

·         Keep an inventory of your tasks and projects

·         Generate new and retain existing customers

·         Deal with impending litigation

·         Obtain needed financial resources

·         Keep on top of your Inland revenue paperwork and accounting

·         Keep good records

·         Communicate well internally

Bottom of Form

 

 

5 Quick Do and Don'ts of Entrepreneurship

DO

(1)   Put customers first all the time, listen to them, their needs and what they want out of your product/service.

(2)   Conduct quality market research before launching a product/service.

(3)   Test the market before launching full speed ahead and spending your budgets

(4)   Involve the end user as much as possible in the whole process. Involving them at the early design stages means that you are closer to your customer.

(5)   Provide the maximum value consistent with the sales prices

 

DON’T

(1)   Believe your own marketing and PR… listen to others.

(2)   Assume “because I can make a better  website than others, the market will agree with you”

(3)   Underestimate your customers and their purchasing prowess.

(4)   Build your dream team with friends. You need specific people with exceptional talents to compliment the team.

(5)   Underestimate your initial costs, these will be usually double what you expect.

 

Then... just learn as much as you can and go for it!!

 

Great Value Professional Courses: Monitoring the Performance of your business, Working as an Intrapreneur, Operating your Business, E-marketing and Website Design. @ 50 euros each course

@ Chamber of Commerce On the 16th @ 3.30 p.m. Branding specifically directed to businesses.

Join us for this free exceptional talk on the 16th November at 10.00 a.m.

Come and join us at the IVC on the 4th of October 2012 for a FREE talk about Entrepreneurship and Branding by Dr.Michelle Gialanze and Smoochie Drinks CEO - Sandra Zammit

Do it right!!

IVC Malta Intelligence lies in doing it right - the best way for you!!! Gain your A levels without Exams, come and talk to us about how to do it - contact info@ivcm.edu.mt for more details

5th September @7.00 p.m.

Next event at IVC Malta on the 5th September at 7.00 p.m. Come and join us and we will sharing more about what we do at IVC Malta. Where you can gain A levels, work experience and your own business plan all within 9 months.

Next Jamie Oliver course for kids start on th 16th July

Last few places left on Mondays and Thursdays... contact m.gialanze@ivcm.edu.mt for the registration form This course is GREAT!! students learn how to cook, and gain the equivalent to an o level. A life skill + academic qualification during the summer for your 12 - 16 year old.

Graduation of our class of 2012 was great and a real family affair. Thanks to all, some of our students are preparing videos of their work to launch their own businesses. At IVC we are here for you guys.... GO GO GO!

Well done!!! It has been a fantastic year seeing your developments, now it is time to live your values and go beyond yourselves. Can't wait to see what you prepared for the graduation on the 20th June.

School Trip

    IVCM Student Go to JPA

       

 http://jpadvertising.com/blog/2012/ivcm-students-visit-jpa-and-blaze-productions/

 MARKET RESEARCH 

Conducting research for my Business Plan

SewNew

is my company and I am currently researching 

the perception of second hand clothing.

I would really appreciate it if you would take

 a few minutes of your time to answer 

the questions within the link below.

→  http://bit.ly/L8LLSv  ←

6th June at 6 pm. At IVC we will be looking at how careers are shaping up, and how we can prepare for them. This is especially useful for students who do not know what they want to do!! Come and join us. Contact m.gialanze@ivcm.edu.mt for more details.

Thursday 3rd May at 7.30 p.m. You are invited to the Launch of the International Magazine Brandit, The special Malta issue. At IVC Malta, The Gardens, St.Julians.

Jamie Oliver - Adults Summer Evening Course.

Turning up the Heat this Summer - Get stuck in with a Healthy Eating Jamie Oliver Cooking Course!

Children's Jamie Oliver Summer Course.

6th June at 6 pm

6th June – Future careers – held at IVC Malta. 6.00 p.m.
A discussion on what employers will be looking for in the future and how you could prepare yourself to be more even more successful. Students at IVC will share with you their experiences.

IVC Malta - International Vocational College Malta

Jamie Oliver Cooking Course

Our introductory Jamie Oliver Course starts tomorrow!

Bringing healthy eating to Malta is an evident necessity,

the obesity statistics of Malta scream

a need for change!

And no one has been more renowned in voicing the concern of obesity and other related diseases than Jamie Oliver.

This is why at IVC Malta is offering the
"HEALTHY EATING EDEXCEL/BTEC Jamie Oliver Cooking Course"

An opportunity to learn to think about what you eat and

enjoy the process. Sometimes all we need is to start from
the basics and build from there. Our interactive sessions

allow you to get hands on with the preparation

of your food and let you understand just how

easy and enjoyable cooking can be.

We all have to eat, we all should love to eat, so we should all know what to eat.

IVC - 'Education with a difference' brings you

another practical course that offers more than just a qualification.

Food is one of life's greatest joys yet we've reached this

really sad point where we're turning food into the enemy,

and something to be afraid of.- Jamie Oliver

Let's make the right choices

and start to love what we eat,

and from that we learn to love ourselves!

Be sure to check out our Facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/JamieOliverCookingCoursesMalta

6th June at 6 p.m. - Come and join us.

A discussion will be held at IVC - St.Julians - on what employers will be looking for in the future and how you could prepare yourself to be more even more successful. Students at IVC will share with you their experiences.

They have equiped themselves for the future - do come and hear their experiences at IVC.












Education is about gaining intrapreneurship skills... more on the 6th about that.

Skills for the future - Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship

Some questions from IVC Malta….to get you thinking on starting your own business.

We are a college by business for business


The more planning you give to the job of running your business, the more chances of SUCCESS

These are some questions you should consider before you start:
• What are my prospects given that the economy remains a very difficult one?
• Are you the sort of person who can succeed in business?
• Have you any funds you can put into the business?
• Are you familiar with the legal requirements that will be placed on you as a business proprietor?
• Have you considered how much you will earn during your first year?
• Have you considered how technology can benefit your business?
• Have you decided how the internet can be used to your advantage?
• Does social media have a role to play in promoting you and your business?

❤ Make sure to Check out Kaipaus -Malta Valentines Competition!

We have linked with Botanica to provide a prize of 12 of the finest Red Roses on the Island.

All you have to do is submit a photo of you and a loved one!

Capture that love this Valentines with a Scented gesture of love. ❤

http://www.facebook.com/KaipausMalta?sk=app_255558194495800

Hearing the world talk about it! Not just Michelle Gialanze!

Young entrepreneurs who think that one way of beating recession is to start from scratch. BBC World is on to it too!

Young entrepreneur at IVC Malta

International Vocational College
Bernard Schembri’s Story

As a Teenager he set up Megaspin.net
Bernard will be sharing how he did it on the:

25th January 2012
6 p.m.

@

He will share his story with us. Don't miss it!!!

Stuck... Just say I CAN!

You can do it…. Not matter what you set out to achieve it is possible - if you have the right frame of mind.

18th February
8.30 a.m – 4.00 p.m


This one day workshop led by Dr Vince Cassar is not intended to find you a job or set you on a career path. Rather it is intended to help you re-identify those career anchors that reflect your true values about your career choices. Understanding your career anchor empowers you to confront career choices and decisions in a manner consistent with what you truly value and how you really see yourself in the context of work. Indeed, regardless of your present job or career, your future decisions will be easier and more valid if you have a clear understanding of your orientation toward work, motives, and your perceived self-talents.

Places are limited to 12 - and cost 55 euro for the whole workshop. Book your place by contacting michelle on m.gialanze@ivcm.edu.mt

Assumptions about gaining employability

Some assumptions:-

It is assumed that the more certificates you have the better are your chances of employment

It is assumed that bright people are destined for the best jobs whereas those less bright are destined for the lower level jobs

It is assumed that people will have a “job” when they get into employment

It is assumed that bright individuals will never be unemployed

It is assumed that people will increase their chances of employment if they just send their CV

It is assumed that employers are responsible to give their employees the necessary experience

It is assumed that people who are ready from School / University are ready for employment

It is assumed that people who become entrepreneurial have the money to do so

It is assumed that your job is your career

……and many many more.


Time to rethink these assumptions.

Therefore what should we be looking at next????

(1) Be focused and goal oriented but do not loose sight of the bigger picture
(2) Have self-initiative, practice good observation and grasp opportunities to experience
(3) Remember that qualifications are necessary but NOT sufficient
(4) Master your ability to adapt, to lead, and to learn…fast! Be entrepreneurial in spirit.

The below are some skills which are needed in the future to gain employability:

New year ... New resolutions?

The old adage 'the grass is always greener on the other-side' is often true. Rather than leave a job because of the issues you have; try to deal with the issues. Write down the top 5 things you are not happy with in your current job. If you could address 3 of the 5, would this make a difference to your 'happiness'? If the answer is 'maybe' then, try to make 2012 the year you make your current job, more workable. This does not mean, going in all guns blazing and 'frying' your bosses head on their first day back, but it does mean acting in a professional way to improve the 'Job' you want (but you may potentially already have).

Have you thought of taking up a new course?

Be an Intrapreneur!

Every Monday is a good one!